Momentum with Sporting Clube de Goa as they take on ONGC

Sporting Clube de Goa take on ONGC in the I-League Round 22 on March 28, 2013. (Getty Images)

Mapusa: Sporting Clube de Goa will look to keep their winning momentum intact as they face ONGC in a 22nd-round match of the I-League at the Duler stadium here on Thursday. Sporting have raised their game, winning five matches on the trot after Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon Barreras took over the reins.

"It's our hard work and dedication that has paid off. Wins against Salgaocar, Churchill Brothers and Dempo have raised the team morale and we are now looking to win against ONGC," said Barreras.

"We drew against ONGC in the first leg, but that was a match we could have won after dominating the second session," said Oscar. The team was down 0-2 against ONGC, but rallied for a 2-2 draw.

Sporting will miss the services of Joyner Lourenco and Prathesh Shirodkar [both suspended] but the coach remained confident that they have enough in reserves. "Honestly, I am not worried. We have some fine players who can step up and do the job for us," he said.

ONGC have also done well after Santosh Kashyap took over, especially against the top team. "The players are doing a wonderful job. I was always confident that I could save relegation with this squad but the other target was to finish in the top seven. I think we can achieve that," said Kashyap.

ONGC are currently placed seventh on the table with 28 points from 21 matches. Sporting Clube are sitting a rung higher with an extra point.